November 30, 2007

Photo of the Week

Chairman of the Board Marty Dickens, Belmont President Bob Fisher and Governor Phil Bredesen celebrate the debate announcement.
Town Hall Debate Announcement Brings Dignitaries, Media to Campus
The Vince Gill Room erupted in cheers last Monday as Belmont President Bob Fisher announced that the Curb Event Center would play host to the pivotal Town Hall Presidential Debate on Oct. 7, 2008. “It’s always about a song for me,” Fisher noted, “‘I’m walkin’ on sunshine and don’t it feel good.’ What a great day for Belmont, for Nashville and for the state of Tennessee.” For more on this story, click here.

Belmont News

‘Christmas at Belmont’ Showcases Belmont’s Musical Talent
From the first notes of “Festival Fanfare of Christmas” to the parting strains of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” the 2007 “Christmas at Belmont” holiday concert Nov. 19 again provided undeniable proof of Belmont School of Music students’ talent. Taped live in front of a full house in the Laura Turner Concert Hall of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the annual performance featured Belmont alumnus Melinda Doolittle (’99) as host for the evening. For more on this story as well as additional photos from the evening, click here.
Belmont Chosen as Site for 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate
The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) announced Nov. 19 that Belmont University will host the Town Hall Presidential Debate on Oct. 7, 2008. Belmont was one of 16 sites nationwide under consideration to host one of three presidential, or one vice presidential, debates. Tennessee has been home to three former United States Presidents—Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson and James K. Polk—but this will be the first time a presidential debate has been held in Tennessee.
“It is a distinct privilege to be chosen to host the Town Hall Presidential Debate,” Belmont President Bob Fisher said. “This opportunity will provide an invaluable educational experience to our students, allowing them to observe firsthand our nation’s political process and to be participants in American history. We are also pleased that the candidates and all of our distinguished guests will have an opportunity to witness the many benefits offered by the greater Nashville community.” For more on this story, click here.

Achievers

Webster Gives Address at Induction Ceremony
On Nov. 18, Dr. Andrew Webster, Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, gave an invited address at the induction ceremony of the Beta Lambda Delta Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society of the Jefferson State Community College in Hoover, Alabama. The title of his presentation was “How Is the World a Better Place Because of You?” and focused on the importance of professional and community service in attaining admission to professional schools and beyond. The event was attended by about 150 people.
Coach Cross Scores 500th Win in Victory over Alabama
The Belmont women’s basketball rocked its way to its third win of the season on Wednesday night at the Curb Event Center behind the 29 point performance of sophomore Amber Rockwell. The Bruins gained a double digit lead early in the first half and never looked back en route to a 75-58 win over Alabama. The victory became the 500th of Head Coach Tony Cross’s career and snapped a two-game skid. With the win, Cross becomes the first women’s coach in program history to notch 500 wins. Belmont also joins only three other programs in the country that feature 500-win coaches in both men’s and women’s basketball.
Massey Faculty Published in Journal of Teaching in International Business
The research of three Massey faculty members was recently published in the Journal of Teaching in International Business. Dr. Jane Finley (Deloitte Professor of Accounting), Dr. Susan Taylor (Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Marketing) and Dr. Lee Warren (Associate Professor of Accounting) submitted their paper on “Investigating Graduate Business Students’ Perceptions of the Educational Value Provided by an International Travel Course Experience.” This piece is particularly relevant to Belmont as it ties into a specific dimension of Massey’s graduate business program, namely, the required international study abroad experience for all graduate students.
Cornwall Quoted in Entrepreneur
Jeff Cornwall, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, was quoted in the December 2007 issue of Entrepreneur magazine in an article titled “Breaking the Fall.” To read the full story, click here.
New Century Journalism Program Lauded in Tennessean
Mark Silverman, editor and vice president/content and audience development for The Tennessean, wrote an editorial this weekend praising Belmont’s New Century Journalism Program and the way in which it is preparing students for the future. Sybril Bennett, associate professor and executive director of the New Century Journalism Program, spoke with Tennessean editors last week about the training Belmont students receive. To read the full story, click here.

Volunteer Opportunities

Late Night Pancake Event
University Ministries will host its annual Late Night Pancake Event Wed., Dec. 5 from 9–11 p.m. This is a great opportunity to serve students as they prepare for exams. Whether you flip pancakes, make the coffee, or help with the clean-up, the real blessing is having a chance to be with some of our students while enjoying the company of one another. For more information or to volunteer, contact Guy Chmieleski at x6419 or chmieleskig@mail.belmont.edu.
Toy Drive for Needy Children
Belmont Athletics’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) invites faculty and staff to join in a Christmas Toy Drive for needy children through YES (Youth Enrichment Services). This is an annual event in which inner city families can get Christmas gifts (toys) for their children. Bring a new, unwrapped toy(s) to the Christmas tree in the Grand Atrium Mon., Dec. 3 at 10 a.m.

Coming Up

Friday, November 30, 7 p.m.
Vote for DMHO on “Next Great American Band”
Denver & the Mile High Orchestra is scheduled to perform again tonight at 7 p.m. on Fox’s “Next Great American Band.” Most members are Belmont School of Music alumni. Vote for DMHO from 8-10 p.m. by calling 866-856-8302. For more information, visit http://www.denvermho.com.
Saturday, December 1, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 2, 2 p.m.
Musical Theatre presents Swing
MPAC
Sunday, December 2, 5 p.m.
A Contemporary Festival of Lessons and Carols
Belmont’s Community Choir, Belle Voci, performs with a contemporary global flavor that includes music and readings from around the world.
Wightman Chapel/Scarritt Bennett Center
Monday, December 3, 10 a.m.
Masters in Nonprofit Leadership Signing
Belmont University will sign a resolution recognizing the new partnership with the Center for Nonprofit Management and the launch of a new Masters in Nonprofit Leadership.
Inman Fourth Floor Lobby
Monday, December 3, 10 a.m.
The Greatest Story Never Told
Although more people attend church on Sunday than watch NFL football, religion news is virtually ignored by the mainstream media, representing only one percent of television news. Print reporting does a better job with religion news, but it is woefully inadequate. This convocation will explore various solutions for covering the greatest story never told.
Beaman A & B
Monday, December 3, 2 p.m.
Celebration for Tennessee Professor of the Year Dr. Pete Giordano
Belmont faculty and staff are invited to a reception to honor Dr. Pete Giordano, professor and chair of the Psychology Department, in celebration of his recent recognition as the 2007 Tennessee Professor of the Year. A short program will begin at 2:30 p.m.
Massey Boardroom
Monday, December 3, 7:30 p.m.
A Camerata Christmas
The Belmont Camerata Musicale will offer its annual presentation of “A Camerata Christmas,” including a concert of holiday chamber music and a traditional holiday folk music sing-along, featuring Nashville favorite Kathy Chiavola.
Belmont Mansion
Tuesday, December 4
Last Day of Classes
Tuesday, December 4, 5-9 p.m.
Doubleheader Basketball
Women’s Basketball hosts Montevallo, and Men’s Basketball hosts Fisk.
Curb Event Center
Tuesday, December 4, 5:30 p.m.
An Evening with Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Rick Atkinson
McNeely Pigott & Fox invite Belmont faculty and staff to a free reception, discussion and book signing with two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Atkinson in celebration on his new book release, Day of Battle: The War in Sicily and Italy, 1943-44. The event is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are encouraged: Call (615) 259-4000, ext. 234 or email bookevent@mpf.com.
Nashville Public Library, 615 Church St.
Friday, December 7, 7 p.m.
Nashville Children’s Choir Annual Holiday Concert
Belmont Heights Baptist Church
Ongoing
Today–Monday, December 10
Observations: Drawings by Randy Simmons
Leu Art Gallery

Congratulations

Congratulations to Jenni MacLean, Assistant Supervisor of Listening/Viewing Center in Bunch Library, who gave birth Tuesday night at 10:20 p.m. at Centennial Hospital to a 9 lb. 10 oz. baby boy named Brecken.

In Our Thoughts and Prayers

We would like to make our community aware that Bobby Sanders, husband of Sandra Sanders in Finance and Accounting, passed away earlier this week. Please keep the Sanders family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
In addition, please remember the family and friends of Margaret Lindsley Warden, a Nashville fixture who attended Ward Seminary and Ward-Belmont College. Warden, 103, died Saturday at her home on Acklen Avenue on the Belmont campus. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Downtown Presbyterian Church, 154 Fifth Ave. N. For more information, visit The Tennessean web site.

Birthdays

If you notice an incorrect or missing birthday, please e-mail the update to communication@mail.belmont.edu.
Happy belated birthday to Freida Sage, in the office of Campus Security, whose birthday was Nov. 18.
November 30
Kris Elsberry, Music
December 1
April Hefner, Office of Communications
John Paine, Literature and Language
December 3
Ronnie Littlejohn, Philosophy
December 5
Karen Bennett, Social Sciences
Pam Parry, Journalism
December 6
Bill Scheddin, Curb Event Center
Josh Wilkerson, Office of Communications
December 7
Sandra Dudley, Music